India is examining Bangladesh's request for additional supplies of petroleum products as Dhaka grapples with an acute energy crisis, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday. New Delhi already has an arrangement with Bangladesh for the supply of diesel, but any increase in shipments will be assessed after considering India's domestic requirements, refining capacity and availability of diesel within the country.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was aware of Bangladesh's request and that the matter was being examined. "We have an ongoing arrangement with Bangladesh for the supply of diesel," Jaiswal said during his bi-weekly media briefing. He added that any decision on additional supplies would take into account India's own fuel requirements and the availability of petroleum products.

Jaiswal's remarks come as Bangladesh faces pressure over energy availability, increasing the importance of fuel supplies from neighbouring countries. India has previously maintained petroleum product supply arrangements with Bangladesh, making New Delhi an important potential source of additional fuel as Dhaka seeks to manage the ongoing crisis. However, India's response indicates that any expansion of supplies will depend on domestic availability and the country's refining capacity.

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The issue also comes against the backdrop of broader diplomatic engagement between the two neighbours. Jaiswal said India has invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for a bilateral visit to India. Dhaka has also been invited to participate in the outreach session of the upcoming BRICS summit, which India will host in New Delhi in September. "These invitations have been extended," Jaiswal said, adding that the ministry would provide updates if there was progress regarding the proposed visit.

India is hosting the annual BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13 in its capacity as the grouping's current chair. The summit is expected to focus on several major international and economic challenges, including the consequences of the continuing crisis in West Asia. The gathering will bring together leaders from major emerging economies and is expected to provide an important platform for discussions on global economic and geopolitical developments.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin are among the prominent leaders expected to attend the summit. Against this backdrop, India's consideration of Bangladesh's request for additional fuel supplies adds an economic dimension to its wider regional engagement. While New Delhi has not committed to increasing petroleum shipments, its statement signals that the request is under consideration and will be evaluated against India's domestic fuel needs and production capacity.

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